Intel to spend billions on NW factories and jobs

Talk about an economic stimulus package. Intel today announced plans to spend $6 billion to $8 billion to expand its U.S. manufacturing, including Oregon’s first new chip factory since 2003.

The company’s building a new research and development facility in Hillsboro and upgrading others to start manufacturing 22-nanometer chips next year, according to Mike Rogoway’s report in The Oregonian.

Intel’s expansion in Oregon and Chandler, Ariz., will create at least 800 new manufacturing jobs, support 6,000 others and provide a boost to construction employment. It’s already Oregon’s largest private employer with 15,000 employees in the state.

Brier Dudley offers a critical look at technology and business issues affecting the Northwest. Send tips or comments to bdudley@seattletimes.com. His column runs Monday, and his commentary appears here all week.